APHIS Allows Importation of Certain Citrus from Peru If Specified Conditions are Met
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a final rule, effective May 1, 2006, which allows the importation, under certain condition, of fresh commercial citrus fruit (grapefruit, limes, mandarin oranges or tangerines, sweet oranges, and tangelos) from approved areas of Peru into the U.S. Based on a recent pest risk analysis, APHIS believes that such citrus fruit can be safely imported from Peru, provided certain conditions are met.
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Highlights of Requirements for Importing Citrus from Peru
APHIS has added a new 7 CFR 319.56-2pp to set forth the conditions governing the importation of citrus from Peru, which include(partial list):
Permit required, only commercial shipments allowed. 7 CFR 319.56-2pp(a) and (b) provide that the fruit must be accompanied by a specific written permit issued in accordance with 7 CFR 319.56-3. In addition, fruit may only be imported in commercial shipments.
Phytosantiary certificate, inspection at port of first arrival. 7 CFR 319.56-2pp(g) provides that each consignment of fruit must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization (NPPO) of Peru stating that the fruit has been inspected and found free of Ecdytolopha aurantiana. In addition the fruit is subject to inspection by an inspector at the port of first arrival in the U.S., including a sampling and cutting of fruit from each shipment.
Cold treatment (except for limes). 7 CFR 319.56-2pp(f) provides that the fruit, except for limes (C.aurantiifolia), must be treated for Anastrepha fraterculus, A. obliqua, A.serpentina, and Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly), in accordance with 50 CFR Part 305, which lists treatment schedule CT T107-a-1.
Approved growing area, registration of production site. 7 CFR 319.56-2pp(c) provides that the fruit must be grown in an approved citrus-producing zones. In addition, the production site where the fruit is grown must be registered with the NPPO of Peru.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/06/05 news, 05100699 2, for BP summary of the proposed rule.)
APHIS Contact - Tony Roman (301) 734-8758
APHIS Final Rule (D/N 03-113-3, FR Pub 05/01/06) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-4065.pdf